Students sell art at N.M. gallery

Steve Marcotte

Thursday

May 31, 2007 at 12:01 AM

ASHBURNHAM — One of the greatest accomplishments for an art student is to have their work purchased, according to Robert Johnson, director of the visual arts department at Cushing Academy, and 10 students had that experience during a recent trip to Santa Fe, N.M. Students from the advanced art program at Cushing displayed approximately 35 pieces of photography, sculpture, glass and silver art at the Jane Sauer Gallery from April 21 to May 4. Mr. Johnson said every student sold a piece of their work on the first day and more than 12 pieces were purchased from the school’s exhibit. “They had to be there to explain their work and stand next to it when people came through,” he said. “That was a great learning experience for them.” Mr. Johnson said the students weren’t accustomed to answering questions about their art from potential buyers and having to act as a salesperson. The students were “out of their element,” he added, when people inquired about the technique and materials that were used to construct each piece of art. “By standing there and watching it go out the door and negotiating the sale, that was a great experience,” Mr. Johnson said. One student’s piece was bought for $600, he said, which was the most expensive purchase from Cushing’s exhibit. The students had to sign contracts with the gallery and agree to pay a 50 percent sales commission for displaying their art. Mr. Johnson said the students determined what their work was worth before attending the exhibit and understood that it was partially based on the fact that they haven’t established a reputation in the art business yet. “If it was done professionally, ... things would have been two to four times (more than) what they were selling them for, but they knew going in that they were students still in the learning process,” Mr. Johnson said. Before leaving for New Mexico, sophomore Travis Dean said the exhibit was “just a beginning” and they weren’t concerned about the price of the work. Mr. Johnson agreed the value wasn’t the most significant part of the experience, however it does allow for the students to understand the concept of the art business. People new to the business don’t understand an artist has to take into account the commission paid to a gallery, the cost to construct the piece and price to ship it, he said, before the actual profit can be determined. “If it was an inexpensive piece, the key was that someone else wanted their work and was willing to pay. ... That’s what impressed them the most and they were so excited,” Mr. Johnson said. Every student in attendance at the gallery also received a medal from Cushing. Mr. Johnson said they were recognized with the medal for “being outstanding art students and achieving such an incredible accomplishment. “The quality of the work we have is some of the best in the country in high school,” said Mr. Johnson, who added that people in attendance at the gallery “couldn’t believe the quality of the (students’) work.” smarcotte@thegardnernews.com

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